John 14:31 (ESV) — But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.

If you have ever watched and enjoyed the symmetry of a military formation marching in unison, it is something to behold. Those steps are not stumbled upon luckily. The formation and movements in it are rehearsed over and over again until perfection is accomplished. 

The process of learning to walk in a military formation is learning and following the commands. There is a leader of the formation whose words are directing each person. The steps are commanded, the head turns, and rifle movements are commanded, and the stops are even ordered. The way each person learns to execute these technical formations and movements is by learning to obey the commands given to them. Obedience to the one in charge leads to a uniform movement by the unit. 

Our passage today reminds us of why Jesus’ life looks so different from the rest of ours. He stayed in step, and His movements were always perfect. Why? Because He obeyed the commands of the Father. Jesus tells us this Himself. In John 14:31 we read, “But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.” Jesus didn’t do His own thing. His life, words, and actions were in step with the Father’s commands. 

Why did He do this? To demonstrate His love for the Father. His obedient life was the fruit of His abundant love. The same should be true of us. Our lives should be lived in step with the Father’s commands. The church should be a coordinated unit walking in step to the Father’s Word to us. This produces a life in step with God. 

This kind of obedience from Jesus was motivated by His love. It should be the same for us.

Reflection & Journal:

- Why did Jesus still need to obey the Father if He was God? 

- Why is it crucial to understand that Jesus’ obedience stemmed from His love for the Father?

- How should our lives model and imitate Jesus’ life as it pertains to obedience to the Father?

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